SHELLY RIDGE GUIDELINES

Students at Shelly Ridge are expected to:

• respect the natural world;
  
• leave no trace;
  
• collect only for educational projects and with teacher permission;
  
• stay within unit boundaries at all times;
  
• refrain from climbing trees, swinging on vines, and throwing rocks or sticks; and
• leave electronics at home.

Individual units will have additional specific expectations that are age appropriate.

How to Prepare for a Day at Shelly Ridge

To prepare against the sun and against insect bites, ticks, poison ivy, and cuts and scrapes, here are some suggestions for how to dress for Shelly Ridge days (or any day that you are hiking or playing in tall grasses or the woods):

Clothing
Light-colored clothing is best for both keeping cool on warm days and spotting ticks and insects. Always keep in mind that Shelly Ridge is often at least 10 degrees cooler than Center City; layers are a good way to make sure your child is warm enough. On Shelly Ridge days, we recommend that children wear:

• long cotton pants (can be tucked into socks)
• long-sleeved t-shirt
• hat or sun visor
• sneakers and socks (no open-toed shoes)

Insect Repellent

When selecting repellent, avoid products that contain both sunscreen and repellent; look for levels of repellent containing no more than 10% DEET, and always follow directions for application. Check your child’s pediatrician if you’re not sure what to use.

Tick Checks

What?
There are different kinds of ticks in Pennsylvania. The large dog ticks are harmless and do not require a follow-up call to the doctor unless you feel it’s necessary. The ticks you are looking for are the small (poppy/sesame-seed sized) deer ticks. They live in yards, as well as grassy fields and forests.

Why?
Some deer ticks carry the bacterium for Lyme disease, which they acquire from the white-footed mouse. Doing a thorough tick check after Shelly Ridge days (or anytime you’re outdoors in any grassy or wooded area) is recommended.

When?
Conduct tick checks year-round after hiking or camping.

Before leaving Shelly Ridge, children should brush off their clothing thoroughly. It’s helpful for children to find a partner for brushing off each other’s back. A thorough tick check should become part of the evening routine (perfect for bath time) after Shelly Ridge.

A deer tick has to be attached for more than 24 hours (up to 72 hours) in order to transmit the bacterium for Lyme disease (if it carries it).

How & Where?
First, remove your hiking clothes and wash them in hot water to kill any ticks that were still on the clothes. Dry them using high heat.

Ticks like warm, dark areas of a body. Armpits, knees, and groin are often common places, as well as anywhere your clothing fits snugly against the body, like around the waist and your watchband.

If you’re checking yourself, use a mirror to help.

To check yourself (or your child), start with your head, looking through your hair, behind and in your ears, and on the front and back of your neck.

Check your armpits and elbows, then your torso (front and back). Be sure to check your bellybutton.

Check your groin carefully.

Look over the fronts and backs of your legs, checking behind your knees and between your toes.

If You Find a Tick
Remove the tick immediately using tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull back firmly. Enclose it in a piece of tape or a ziplock bag to show to your doctor, if necessary. Consult your doctor with any questions. Caught in its early stages, Lyme disease is easily treatable with antibiotics.

For more information about ticks and Lyme disease check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/